INVASIO BARBARORVM : RESTITVTOR ORBIS

[L'ethu]

Welcome to Invasio Barbarorum: Restitutor Orbis(Rome: Total War mod) forum, here's some sneak peek preview before we start the faction preview:

Figure 1: The Praetorian Guard may lost their influence during the 3rd Century AD but they still exist with a different look, Scale mail , Heddernheim Helmet, hasta, spatha and scutum have become standard armament for the Praetorian Guard.

Figure 2: Although Auxiliary in the 3rd Century AD use the same armament like the Legionaries but they cannot replace the legionaries. This unit was armed with Niederbieber Helmet with neck guard, scale mail or sometimes chain mail, his main armament consists of veruta and hasta.

Figure 3: Primani Legionary from the Eastern Province of Rome, his main armament consists of hasta, spatha and a rectangular scutum. His wears a mail coif, Lorica Segmentata, leg greaves and lorica manica for additional protection.

Figure 4: Principes Legionnaire armed themselves with a 3rd Century pilum or spiculum and spatha for main armament, his armor consists of scale mail and sometimes chain mail or Lorica Segmentata. He wears a Heddernheim Helmet and carries oval shield.

Figure 5: Primani Legionary from the Eastern Province with a different look, his armor consist of mail coif over his head and chain mail with scale cuirass. His armament consists of hasta, spatha, and a rectangular scutum and he also armed himself with leg greaves and lorica manica for extra protection.

Figure 6: Another example of a Primani Legionary, he wears a Heddernheim Helmet and carries oval shaped scutum, his armor consists of scale mail, leg greaves and lorica manica.

[Mythos_Ruler]

Nice. So, Aurelian era then and the 'Crisis of the 3rd Century'?

[L'ethu]

Exactly,first campaign of the mod focus on 3rd century crisis, and Aurelian's struggle to reunite the Empire by defeating the Palmyrene Empire and the Gallic Empire, as well as repelling the barbarian hordes from Roman territory. Second campaign starts 311 AD and the dissolution of the tetrarchy and eventually the rise of Constantine the Great and Christianity.

Now, i offer you the first preview: The Palmyrene Empire

Figure 1: Palmyran regular foot archers, many Palmyran archers served in Roman army and he could probably regular Roman soldier in Palmyran service. He's armament consists of a powerful composite bow and sword.

Figure 2: Palmyran heavy infantry, his armor consists of mail coif and chain mail and armed with a Roman spatha and pilum plus a reinforced wicker shield. This unit could mercenary hired throughout the regions by the Romans and Sassanids.

Figure 3 and 4: Roman Legionary under Palmyran banner, some of them armed with spatha and pilum others armed with lancea and spatha.

Figure 5, 6, 7 and 8: Roman auxiliary under Palmyran service, they are armed with lancea and spatha.

Figure 9: Palmyran Guard infantry and the protector of the King and Queen, their armor was under Hellenic influence than Roman.

Figure 10: Palmyran Camel Guard are professional caravan guard instead of regular soldiers but still ideal for scouting and skirmish, his armament consists a composite bow, spear and a sword.

Figure 11 and 12: Palmyran irregular horse archer and horse archer was a product of Parthian and Sassanid influence, his armament a powerful composite bow, spear and sword makes him an ideal skirmisher but not a good fighter.

Figure 13: Palmyran Clibanarii served as the hammer of the Palmyran army, a product from Parthian and Sassanid influence. He is armed to the teeth by chain mail, lamellar plates and horse armor and his armament consists a Kontos lance and mace.

Figure 14: Palmyran Guard Cavalry served as the protector of the Kings and Generals, he also armed to the teeth by chain mail and iron plates and his armament consists a Kontos lance and sword.

Figure 15: Palmyran irregular archer are reluctant warrior but still a valuable asset for a wise commander.

Figure 16: Palmyran armored regular archers could be a Roman unit under Palmyran service, although he is armed to the teeth but still cannot rely for a real close combat.

Hope you enjoy the first preview.

Edited April 8, 2012 by L'ethu

[L'ethu]

The next preview, the Sassanid Dynasty:

Figure 1: Payâhdag-î Nîzagân (levy spearmen) formed the bulk of the Sassanid army, they are peasant levies and their number consists more than three quarters of the Sassanid army. They are good for siege warfare when they need most of them building siege mines, guarding baggage train, storming fortification and excavating trenches but they are really weak in morale, training and not to mention their equipment.

Figure 2: Kurds, Syrians and Anatolian who offer their service for the Sassanid army, expert of skirmish and valuable missile support for the Sassanid army.

Figure 3: Sassanid foot archers are the most valuable asset for the Sassanid army. For the Sassanid army foot archers have proven themselves a decisive instrument to achieve victory which have a deep impact to the Romans, Byzantines and the Arabs . Their task is to soften the enemy before the Savaran attack. Each archer unit is led by an officer called Tirbad. He's duty is to organizes his men into groups so that one can relieve the other while maintaining a rapid fire rate.

Although they came from the lower caste but they earned more respect than a mere Payâhdag (peasant levy). Their equipment is better and they are . Standard battle tactics are that they are deployed before the spearmen, firing from behind a wall of shields, retiring through them to avoid close combat.

Figure 4: Gilan infantry and Median infantry are the most valuable assets for the Sassanid army who lacks melee unit to encounter the Roman threat. Gilan infantry was mentioned by Ammianus Marcellinus during the siege of Amida while Median infantry was mentioned by some historians to be the main source of the Sassanid regular infantry.

Figure 5: Deylamites and Sughdian warrior are outlanders, although they consists of a small portion of the Sassanid army but they could turn tide between victory and defeat.

Figure 6: Savaran may dismount from horseback when they were needed for assaulting fortress but it is rare they dismount during field battle.

Figure 7: Parthian clans like Karens and Surens are among the Parthians who have defected to the Sassanids in order to save their own skin. In times of war they served the Sassanid army and in peace they enjoyed their wealth and power under the Sassanid protection.

Figure 8: The Sassans proven to be the legitimate ruler of Persia by force, under Ardashir I's leadership they have successfully overthrow the Parthians and become the only superpower to challege Rome. This unit are a Savaran belongs to the House of Sassan, his armament consists a lance and a mace, shield was not used because it would prohibit the knight to charge home against the enemy.

Figure 9: Sughdian cavalry like their infantry counterpart are well respected for their skills and courage, their reputation are legendary and their foe would think twice before confronting them in the battlefield.

Figure 10: Zhâyedân ("Immortals" in Pahlavi ) are the elite among the Savaran, they are the elite reserve for the Sassanid army. Like the Anusiya, their number always maintain at 10000 man strong and the selection process was tough in order to choose the best among the veterans. Their uniform and insignia may probably reflect a strong Achaemenid tradition in order to revive the old Achaemenid Anusiya or Immortals. Leading them was a commander who bears the title of Varthragh-Nighan Khvadhay and mostly a Prince of the Royal family.

Figure 11: The Pushtîghbân are the Royal bodyguard unit of the Sassanian Kings. Numbering perhaps 1,000 men they are the elite of the elite. They are spearhead of the Sassanid army, ready to bring to the enemies of Persia but they are not totally invincible. Nomads like the Hephlatites use composite bow and swift horse can easily bring them into submission when they are left without any additional support.

Edited April 8, 2012 by L'ethu